Chen Wenzhi's expression faltered slightly, his gaze fixed on her eyes with an inscrutable intensity. He seemed to be using all his strength to conceal some thought, not wanting anyone to easily see through it.
She reached out and gently lifted the corner of Chen Wenzhi's mouth, her eyes crinkling into a smile: "Are you touched by me? Then smile."
He sighed and smiled wryly.
Although it's unclear how much of it was genuine, at least he smiled, a truly genuine smile.
*
A meal and a song were enough to bring two groups of people from two schools, who previously only communicated through their phones, closer together.
Before long, Ren Yi was already singing "Conquer" with Lu Ziran in his arms. The two of them took turns singing a line, which enlivened the atmosphere of the whole place, and cheers continued.
The brother and sister said goodbye in advance.
As he left, he glanced wistfully at the two people in the corner, sighed with disappointment, and before he could say anything more, his sister pulled him away.
"Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Chen asked sadly.
Chen Yun's pupils darted around in his eyes. "Because... I'm sleepy, and I want to go home and sleep."
The answer was that simple, and Shen Chang certainly didn't believe it, but turning back at this time would make his intentions seem unclear.
"You, you..." He tapped his sister's forehead with his index finger, "always ruining your brother's business."
But, since you're my sister...
After they left, the door to the private room was pushed open violently, or rather, kicked open.
The people in the private room all looked towards the door.
"Clatter"
The strange lights in the private room were turned off, and the bright white light overhead made the scene seem eerie and added to the unsettling atmosphere.
The singing stopped abruptly, leaving only the deafening accompaniment.
Lu Ziran stared at the newcomer, stunned.
Meng Xuhe, who had been smiling, was stunned. His fingertips, which were holding the cup, trembled. He instinctively wanted to run away, but his legs were not nimble enough, and his heart was pounding as if it would jump out of his chest.
Ying Qian recognized the person who had arrived and felt a mix of confusion and shock.
Meng Beiyan stood tall at the door, his face bearing the marks of a sleepless night, his unshaven stubble making him look even older. His eyes were almost bloodshot as he suppressed his anger and walked toward Meng Xuhe, who was not far away. A slap was about to land squarely on Meng Xuhe's cheek.
She didn't flinch; she closed her eyes and accepted it willingly.
However, the slap did not land on her cheek. She opened her eyes, and Lu Ziran raised his hand to block it. Even if the slap landed squarely on his face, he would still block it.
Meng Xuhe shrank back behind him, trying his best to avoid meeting his older brother's gaze.
"Is this why you're not answering your phone or replying to your messages? Do you know how worried your mother is? Aren't you going back to the hospital this late?"
The words of reproach gradually enveloped Meng Xuhe.
"You're such a worry, Meng Xuhe." He was utterly disappointed, his voice hoarse.
Meng Xuhe's crystal tears slid down her cheeks, and only the back of the person standing firmly in front of her gave her a rare warmth. She still couldn't speak.
Meng Beiyan shoved Lu Ziran away abruptly, causing him to fall straight to the ground with a muffled groan of pain. It seemed that he had other injuries on his body that had been caused by the impact.
Just as he was about to question Meng Xuhe, he pinched her cheek, his anger rising. But the tears that streamed down his face softened his heart, making it impossible for him to hit or yell at her…
He suddenly caught a guilty look in her eyes. He turned his head and saw Ying Qian looking fearful in the corner. For no reason, he curled his lips into a smile, as if he was afraid of scaring her.
The people in the private room scattered like birds and beasts, pushing and shoving their way out.
Chen Wenzhi stood up, but Ying Qian shook her head; she didn't want to leave.
"Brother." Meng Xuhe choked up, trying to help Lu Ziran up, but he also fell to the ground because of his leg injury.
Lu Ziran rushed over with heartache and hugged her tightly.
"Brother, it's not Lu Ziran's fault, I came out on my own! It's not his fault!" she explained hoarsely.
After calming down, Meng Beiyan asked in a cold voice, "What about the leg injury? Was it to save him?"
He suddenly laughed, "How kind of you, my dear sister, you really are kind..."
Meng Xuhe trembled uncontrollably.
Lu Ziran said, "If you have any problems, take them out on me! It's my fault, I'm the one who hurt Xuhe. Kill me or do whatever you want, just don't hurt her! Okay?"
Meng Beiyan ignored her, glanced at Ying Qian who was hiding in the corner, closed his eyes gently, picked up Meng Xuhe from the ground, and carried her out of the private room.
The private room fell silent instantly, with only the sound of Lu Ziran's tears falling to the ground.
Ying Qian went to help him up, but Chen Wenzhi blocked her with his hand and helped Lu Ziran up himself.
His gaze was unfocused, and Ying Qian felt a pang of pain in her heart. She looked up at Chen Wenzhi, whose eyes were gentle, as if to comfort her. She nodded.
Things happened far too fast tonight.
There was a smear of blood on the back of Lu Ziran's clothes. Ying Qian gasped and stammered, "Chen Wenzhi... take him to the hospital..."
"Um."
He carried Lu Ziran on his back and told Ying Qian to call a taxi.
The KTV manager stood at the front desk, stunned. "No way! No way!" he panicked, frantically asking, "W-W-W...Are you alright?"
"Something came up," Ying Qian said, turning around. "Don't worry, I won't complain about you."
The manager breathed a sigh of relief, though his heart was still pounding. He looked up, but they were already gone. He should have kept them there to sign a "KTV is not responsible" agreement before they left...
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